PERLIS plans to reduce the waiting time to approve both domestic and foreign direct investments, as it can spark higher interest in the state.
Newly sworn-in Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah said that he hopes to reduce the waiting period from between two and three months to perhaps just four weeks.
Despite reducing the time, Abu Bakar, who is the Kuala Perlis assemblyman, said that each investor will be screened well with due diligence accorded.
"We will check their financial status and hope to generate interest in our state for them," said Abu Bakar after holding a New Year gathering for the state civil service here.
"We want investors to also understand that they are strategic partners in our quest to develop the state."
Abu Bakar also said that he is leaving his option open that his party - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)'s ally - PAS can return to the state fold.
Earlier, PAS had declared that it has no intention to be part of the new state government line-up under Abu Bakar to signify the party's solidarity with the former Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, who was removed from the post last month.
But Abu Bakar said that if PAS changes its mind, he wouldn't mind incorporating them into his state executive councillors' line-up.
"I hope they can consider. It would be good to be part of the nation-building status for Perlis."
Abu Bakar is expected to unveil his new state exco lineup by next week. - January 8, 2026.
